Do I need a Power Amp?

[Annapolis]

Hi, I'm Annapolis. Long time reader, 1st time poster.

I have finally upgraded from computer speakers to a pair of M-Audio BX-8 Active monitors and my soundcard to a Firewire 410 from the stock parts that came with the machine. What a huge difference!

To listen to the playback from the computer, I am taking this path:

My signal is going OUT from the computer via firewire IN to the FireWire 410 soundcard. Then OUT of the FireWire 410 soundcard IN to a mixer (for external volume control) and finally OUT to the Active Monitors.

It just doesn't same loud enough. Do I need to run my signal through a pre amp or a power amp to boost it? If so, can you recommend 1 that is rackable in the $200-$300 dollar range?

Thank you.

 

[Phyl]

You don't need a power amp. Those monitors should be capable of making you deaf with a line level input signal.

Look at your volume settings on the mixer and the monitors themselves to see where you might be losing signal strength.

 

[AlChuck]

Hooking a power amp's speaker output to the line level inputs of the active monitors will just blow them up. Phyl is right, something downstream is the issue.

 

[Annapolis]

Blowing the monitors up would be bad. It was a volume control issue. Thanks a lot.